The Drum bridge, also called a moon bridge, was built-in Japan and shipped here in 1894 for the San Francisco Midwinter Exhibition .A moon bridge is a highly arched pedestrian bridge associated with gardens in China and Japan. The moon bridge originated in China and was later introduced to Japan.

This type of bridge was originally designed to allow pedestrians to cross canals while allowing the passage of barges beneath. When constructed using the climbing ascent and descent this had the further advantage of not using space from the adjoining fields for approaches. The steepness forces those entering a tea garden to slow down, allegedly putting them in the right state of mind for a tea ceremony.

In formal garden design a moon bridge is placed so that it is reflected in still water. The high arch and its reflection form a circle, symbolizing the moon.

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco was also, oddly enough, the first place in the world to serve fortune cookies.

Mr. Hagiwara introduced the U.S. to fortune cookies in 1907, serving them in the tea house, and they soon spread to Chinese restaurants in San Francisco, then all over the world. And they still serve them here.